Can We Fix Us?

Chapter 1

Everyone was in the dorm enjoying one of their rare free days.

Yoongi was lying in bed, finally able to recharge his body and mind after days of nonstop and taxing work. Focusing on choreography, which did not come easily to him, and worrying about the new tracks took a significant toll on him.

Namjoon was in the small studio they had in the dorm, as he usually was. Being a leader made it more difficult for him to relax, even on the days off, and he continued to work. He had to make sure everything was going smoothly — everything and everyone.

Hoseok was out. He decided to use this chance to meet his family and friends, something that he rarely got a chance to do. Not being able to meet his friends who had supported him through all his hard times more often was something he always regretted, but they understood that he couldn't just come and go whenever he wanted. He understood that he couldn't come and go, too, and it was disheartening.

Seokjin was in kitchen, cooking with his two helpers, Jimin and Jungkook. Cooking relaxed him, being one of the few things that he was the best at among the members. When cooking, he didn't need to worry about messing up, about someone constantly nitpicking and attacking him about his work, pointing out every flaw in him when he already knew what they were. It was his way of letting off steam, and having Jimin and Jungkook there with him only made it better. It wouldn't be them trying to fix their hyung's flaws, but it would be him teaching and guiding his younger members.

Jimin and Jungkook had the freedom to do whatever they wanted, and normally, they would feel relaxed doing it; they enjoyed playing around and simply being the young boys that they were. But their plans for reckless gaming were ruined when they realized one of the members had left the dorm. Taehyung, the third member of maknae line, Jimin's best friend and Jungkook's boyfriend, had left without anyone noticing, leaving only a small note informing them that he had plans and that he was sorry. They had been slightly upset about his sudden departure and mutually decided to drill Taehyung for answers when he returned. In the meantime, they cooked with Seokjin.

~~~

Taehyung stood outside their apartment doors, unmoving and gripping a white folder and a small square photo tightly in his hands. His eyes were swollen and red, as was his nose, revealing that he had been crying, and he waited as long as he could for his face to return to normal. Taehyung's hand shook as he reached for the door handle.

"What do I do... God... I'm so scared..." Taehyung whispered quietly to himself as he finally moved forward, opening the doors and quietly stepping in.

Taehyung didn't say anything, he really didn't have to, before loud steps could be heard quickly heading his way.

"Taetae! You're back!" Jimin yelled as he jumped on Taehyung, hugging him tightly and knocking him off balance.

"Yeah... I'm back," Taehyung murmured, his voice uncertain and weak, not fully recovered from its irritated dryness and immediately making Jungkook suspicious.

"Where did you go? What did you do? Why didn't you tell me and Kookie where you were going?" Jimin drilled, not letting Taehyung out of his hold even when he could feel Jungkook's glare on the back of his head.

"Oy!" Jungkook tried to move forward and separate the two, but Seokjin came up to him from the kitchen and stopped him.

"Yah, Jimin-ah, let Taehyung go. Taehyung-ah, you take off your shoes and go change. The food is going to be ready soon. Jimin-ah, go wake up Yoongi. Kookie, go call Joonie." Seokjin ordered the younger boys with a fond but stern smile and ushered Jimin and Jungkook away, ignoring the protests coming from the younger boys. His gaze fell back onto Taehyung, who shifted nervously and gave his hyung an awkward smile. "Is something wrong, Taetae?" Seokjin immediately inquired after seeing the younger's swollen features.